Dining Reviews

Take Thai flavors to the beach, or enjoy the cozy atmosphere of To Thai For’s café

Although Capitola Village already is home to two Thai restaurants, To Thai For adds a unique element to the culinary cornucopia. More café than restaurant, by mid-day, owner Mona Prakrong had already filled numerous takeout orders for neighboring businesses. She also offers an array of specialty coffee drinks to rev the locals’ morning engines.

In French, à santé, is a common toast which means “to health.” In Capitola, Sante Adairius is a craft brewery whose ales, in November, earned the People’s Choice Award at the West Coast Barrel Aged Beer Festival.

Cooking from scratch with local and unique ingredients ensures Solaire a bright future

I once went to the Holiday Inn on Ocean Street to research an article on their food, and what I found was nothing to write home (or to you) about. There was kind of a bar, manned by a staff member who kind of knew how to make a few drinks, and some edible appetizers. The recent remodel of that space, in what is now Hotel Paradox, is miraculous and the food that comes from its kitchen, not only is based on local and organic products, but is also decisively creative with numerous house-made surprises.

We visited some associates who own a store in the same King’s Village Shopping Center in which Thai Heart rests and they had told friends that before trying the restaurant, they didn’t like Thai food. The friends explained it was because they had never eaten good Thai food. I have been lucky enough to have enjoyed great Thai dishes, and have to agree that the meals from Nattawut Yimsamram and Siriporn Kitphongsri are very good indeed.

At the Trout Farm Inn, I can sit at the bar, where locals swap stories watching a football game, at a bright poolside window, at well-weathered tables in the fresh air, or in the romantic, dimly lit back room which offers idyllic views of the creek and the neighbor’s pond. From this pond, built in 1903 and likely California’s first hatchery, come the restaurant’s trout dinners.

While Highway 1 might be the most direct route between Aptos and Watsonville, Freedom Boulevard presents a scenic alternative. Meandering alongside ranches, farms, and woods, it offers not only relaxing surroundings, but also a few culinary surprises as well.

Index6 Living In A Local ParadiseThe vision behind Santa Cruz Local Foods.8 Smart SeafoodA primer on where to find sustainable seafood.10 Farm To TableThree local farms worth visiting.12 Market MattersWondering what’s in store at the farmers’ market this season? Look no further.14 Cafe Food Goes FoodieThe story of downtown’s Café Delmarette.16 Garden FreshWhen it comes to “local,” Main Street Garden & Café looks no further than its own backyard.

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Two Fish Bound by a Golden Cord

Until March 20, (Spring Equinox), Earth and her kingdoms (mineral, plant, animal, human) experience the influence of Pisces, sign of the World Savior. Whereas the task of Aquarius is as world server, the Pisces task is saving the world—tasks given to the two fishes. Pisces never really enters matter, and as the last sign of the zodiac includes all the signs. During Pisces, having gathered all the gifts of the previous 11 signs, it is a good time to prepare for new initiating plans when Aries (sign of beginnings) begins. No wonder Pisces, like Scorpio, is so difficult (both are ruled by Pluto, planet of death, new life, regeneration, transformations). Both signs (with Scorpio drowning in dark and deep waters) find life on Earth a hardship, disorienting (from the spiritual perspective), at times feeling betrayed. Life is a paradox, especially for Pisces.
Each zodiacal sign represents and distributes a different phase and facet (12) of the Soul’s diamond light, Pisces is the “Light of Life itself, ending forever the darkness of matter.” It takes two fish to complete this work (creating eventually an extraordinary human being). One fish turned toward the material world (in order to understand matter), the other fish toward the heavenly world. Around the two fish is a silvery cord binding them together. The two fish are forever bound until all of humanity is redeemed (lifted up into the Light). This is the dedication of all world saviors (Buddha, Christ, the NGWS). Thus the sacrifice and suffering experienced by Pisces. Knowing these things about Pisces, let us help them all we can. Sometimes all of humanity is Pisces.

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